Before you ask why I am reviewing an old film, I’ll explain.
I have one of those annoying summer colds, and while I nurse my Lemsip and tissues, I wanted to watch something just for fun. This film fitted the bill perfectly.
I’d go so far as to say it is one of my favourite, most-watched movies, right alongside The Lord of the Rings series, and the original Star Wars. It always makes me laugh, even though I know the lines back to front by now.
If you enjoy fun films and you’ve never seen it – all I can say is, you should.
Here’s the original movie trailer, just for a taster:
For 15 years, Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenneger) has been living a double life. As an earnest computer salesman, he’s a safe but unexciting husband for legal secretary Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis).
But Harry has another name, and another job, and when Helen wishes for a more thrilling life, little does she know what’s about to come her way…
The opening Bond-esque sequence is wonderfully over-the-top, and Harry’s team all make their mark, especially his many-times divorced foil, ‘Gib’ Gibson (Tom Arnold).
Never paying much attention to political correctness (yay for that!) with a stereotypical Arab terrorist (superb OTT ham job by Art Malik), a beautiful but moral-free art dealer and a large cast of ‘shreddies’, the superb cast romp through the chases, fights, explosions and more gentle moments, never missing the chance for a great gag or one-liner.
Favourite scenes: too many to mention. If I was forced to pick, it would be the horse chase through the hotel (yes, you heard that right), and Arnie’s attempts at a nonchalant take off in a Harrier Jump Jet.
Favourite lines:
Helen: “Have you ever killed anyone?”
Harry: “Yeah, but they were all bad!”
Jamie Lee Curtis does a fabulous job of playing a gawky housewife, and a truly awesome performance of a woman willing to do whatever it takes to save her marriage, provided it stays within the bounds of propriety. Her nearly naked dance is something to behold – oh, for legs like that!
And not to forget that she packs a mean left hook.
Great pacing, great plot (absurd, yes, but all the threads hang together), great actors; this film has it all.
And it wasn’t until I re-watched it last night, that I even noticed the director: James Cameron, of (amongst many other things) the Terminator movies, Aliens, Titanic, and Avatar. Wow.
Finally, let’s not forget the tangos that showcase this movie, start and end…
I suspect this may have something to do with my love of spy stories, but if you want a laugh, this could be the movie for you.
Anyone else love this film?
deborahjay 
I love new reviews of old movies! I am just going to confess that from the year it first went to video to today, this film has been a Christmas Night tradition in our family–why this particular movie I don’t know, but it is what it is. After the Christmas dinner is cleared away, we gather around the TV in our pajamas and have a great time with Arnold and Jamie. What a fun, adventure of a movie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous idea! We tend to settle into an extended LOTR watch-a-thon, (extended editions). It’s the only time of year we get a long enough stretch without any work interruptions to guarantee we can get through the whole lot.
LikeLike
This is one I spend time with also – great for a laugh! I am still watching “Murdoch Mysteries” – Winston Churchill was on the one I watched tonight…. the actor who played him as a young man was perfect for the part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always liked Jamie Lee Curtis’s acting. Saw her in something I can’t for the life in me remember the title. In bed , rolling around as the man spoke to her in foreign languages? Hilarious
LikeLiked by 2 people
I really must catch up on those one day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoying them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have not seen this movie since ’94, but I intend to re-watch it right away!
Off the top of my head, I’d say my favourite part is the truth-serum/escape scene.
I am a huge Tia Carrare fan! I can’t wait to see her again! Grr-Rawr!
Thanks Deborah!
~Icky. 🙂
P.S. Hey Judith, you are thinking of the film, ‘A Fish Named Wanda’, with Kevin Kline.
LikeLike
It was! It was! -‘A Fish Named Wanda’. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can guarantee you’ll have a fun time. And that scene is great too 😀
Thanks, Icky, for identifying Judith’s memory.
LikeLike
I do! Love Jamie Lee Curtis! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! Another fan 😀
LikeLike
Definitely “True Lies” is a film you can’t forget. No so impressed with the remake.
LikeLike
I haven’t seen a re-make; I don’t want to – the original is so good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, Deborah, you do not want to see the remake! It came out about two years ago, I guess. Pathetic!
LikeLike
Cheers – I am forewarned.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great movie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s lovely to find so many other people with the same taste 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person